Drowsiness

In a normally alert child drowsiness can be a symptom of a fever, hypothermia (when the body temperature falls below normal), or dehydration. It can also occur before or after a seizure, following a blow to the head, or as a result of medication, such as antihistamines.

If your child is drowsy but contented, is feeding well and has a normal body temperature, there is no cause for alarm; he's probably just feeling a little sleepy. If, however, your child becomes drowsy while recovering from an infectious disease such as measles or chicken pox, and he complains of headache and neck pain, this could indicate encephalitis or meningitis, both of which are serious conditions and require immediate medical attention.

What to do

Check your child's body temperature. If it's over 38°C (100.4°F), he has a fever, and if it is under 35°C (95°F), he will be suffering from hypothermia. In either case, seek medical advice.

If drowsiness is accompanied by diarrhoea and vomiting, keep up your child's fluid intake to prevent the risk of dehydration. If his condition does not improve, seek medical advice.

Check to see if your child has recently received a blow to the head; find out if your child has a headache or neckache; smell your child's breath and check the drinks cabinet - he may have drunk alcohol. Check the medicine cabinet for sleep-inducing drugs. In any of these cases, seek medical advice imediately.

If your child has had a seizure, leave him to rest after the seizure has passed and seek medical advice.

Dr Miriam Stoppard

New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard

Posted 03.11.2010

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